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What is a tragic hero? The main character in a Shakespearean tragedy or other tragic dramatic stories. In a true tragedy, the tragic hero suffers greatly and has a great tragic tragic flaw, which leads to his or her moment of tragic choice. This moment traditionally leads to the deathof the tragic hero, and oftentimes leads to the deaths of several othersin the drama.
What is a tragic flaw? Tragic flaw, or Hamartia, is a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine.
Examples: Literature • Oedipus' downfall is directly linked to arrogance: Oedipus the King • Hamlet is indecisive and self-doubting, which thwarts him in avenging his father's murders. • Victor Frankenstein suffers from excessive curiosity, leading to the creation of the monster that destroys his life: Frankenstein • Agamemnon acts in greed when he takes Briseis away from Achilles: The Iliad • Cyrano De Bergerac, despite his many accomplishments, suffers from self-doubt because of his huge nose which keeps him from pursuing the woman he loves. • Marvin the Paranoid Android suffers from extreme depression, as well as extreme boredom due to his huge yet mostly inactive mind. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy • Harry Potter's worst flaws, as stated by Rowling, are "anger and occasional arrogance": Harry Potter • Percy Jackson has a fatal flaw of excessive personal loyalty: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Exmaples: Film • Rocky Balboa thinks of himself as a loser who cannot go the distance in the boxing ring: Rocky • Anakin Skywalker's anger and fear of losing his wife Padme eventually consumes him, leading to his transformation into Darth Vader: Star Warshexalogy • Captain Hook is obsessed with Peter Pan • Oskar Schindler in the film Schindler's Listmust overcome his greedy nature and find compassion to sacrifice in order to save his workers
Examples: Television • Philip J. Fry has a severe lack of intelligence: Futurama • Mr. Spock relies heavily on logic and suppresses his more human emotions: Star Trek • Darkwing Duck/Drake Mallard has a big ego. DarkwingDuck • Peter Griffin is extremely impulsive and causes many problems for his family and friends: Family Guy • Dean Winchester relies on family and is devastated when he loses them or they betray his trust. Supernatural